richard10365

A lot of you guys may have thought the coming AEC is going to make changes. You are going to be greatly disappointed if you think this is going to benefit non ASEAN nationals. Nothing is going to happen here unless you are from a very highly recognised educational institution and not just any English speaking guys passing by. 

I really hope that democracy returns to Thailand stronger and better than before only so all the prevalent theories of democracy being expressed here are shattered by the coup being more beneficial to a country than a democratically elected government. 

When will ASEAN nationals be allowed to immigrate into Thailand in under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP)? 

Daniel Boon...if I understand you correctly, your suggesting Thai universities offer courses in which a person could get a certificate of completion when they finish the class. I've seen classes like that. Mini-MBA to teach management skills is currently being offered in Thai in my moo bahn. I'm sure other schools have them as well. If I were you, I would check the schools with the biggest budgets because they have the money to start programs like that. Also, to make these certificate programs cost effective, they would need a big market to get their students from. Which means you should probably start your search in Bangkok universities. Small communities would have a problem finding enough people to make the program sustainable.

FYI, in 2012 there were 16,000+ foreign students in International bachelor, master, and PhD programs across Thailand. In addition to the foreign students, 150,000 Thai students also studied in many international degree producing programs. The programs in Thailand are not as bad as others say they are but a lot depends on the study habits of the student. You can waste your time here or get an outstanding education. It's up to you.

I'm a little confused. Are you suggesting that Thai universities offer international Bachelor, Master and PhD courses in Thailand?

About the passport,...I mentioned this to my wife and she said..."Thai people are required by law to carry their Thai ID card. Why do foreigners think they should not have to carry their equivalent form of ID, aka "passport",  in Thailand?" I think she has a point. 

Hi Andid......since you brought it up I would like to clarify a few points you made. 

There are four characteristics of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC):  (1) a single market and production base, (2) a highly competitive economic region, (3) a region of equitable economic development, (4) a region fully integrated into the global economy.

The first characteristic, a single market and production base, has five core elements: (1) free flow of goods, (2) free flow of services, (3) free flow of investment, (4) freer flow of capital, (5) free flow of skilled labor.

You asked, “Why would Thai manufacturers need to simultaneously set up production in other ASEAN member countries?” The reason is because they can make more money. Thai manufactures have great access to the Thai markets because they are in Thailand. If they were in other ASEAN countries, they would have greater access to those market’s factors of production.

The factors of production are land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship. They could set up a factory close to large cities and employ the people there at a lower cost than in Thailand. They also have access to their raw materials in that country which also can be at a lower cost than here in Thailand. The capital markets in these ASEAN countries could supply long term financing in the form of financial securities and local entrepreneurs could supply low cost secondary services that could prove more efficient than those at the Thai factory.

Of the five core elements, (2) free flow of services, could provide the Thai management team to oversee their foreign ASEAN operations. Free flow of services also dictate the equity mix allowed in foreign operations. Now Thailand allows up to 70% equity ASEAN ownership of business in Thailand for select industries. Other ASEAN countries have agreed to similar arrangements.

The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) lets the Thai company return profits to Thailand with little or no penalties.  

The skilled workers comment could refer to industries that are considered a service such as tourism or medical professions. In 2015, managed skilled labor mobility will be allowed in Thailand and employers may hire labor from abroad to reduce their costs. The second sentence in the story does say one of the problem is high production costs and labor is cheaper in other ASEAN countries.

About your third point, not all products have been reduced to zero or five percent. Some products, like coffee, are on the sensitive list and their reduction to zero is happening slower than others. In fact, coffee has a non-tariff barrier on it now. Only importers with a license can import coffee at the 5% rate. Once a set volume of coffee has been imported, a quota rule kicks in and tariffs go up to 40%. If the coffee industry is to survive in Thailand, they will have to be able to compete with ASEAN coffee power houses Indonesia and Vietnam. With Vietnam being so close to Thailand, Thai coffee growers should be seriously concerned. Coffee is not the only industry that should be concerned.

It all boils down to greed. People are greedy and if they can save money by hiring non-Thai employees or lower cost ASEAN imports, then they can buy that nice car or house and later take a vacation at the end of the year. The new 70% owners’ equity rule in the horizontal schedule of commitments in the 8^th round of the services negotiation should scare Thai people. However, most Thai people are not afraid because they are totally unaware of this rule. Once an ASEAN citizen owns 70% of a business, they can import many of their staff to run it. If you would like to download this particular rule for yourself click here.

There is plenty of evidence that Thailand is not the market leader in ASEAN. If you’re not leading, then you are losing market share to another company. 

It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe ASEAN 2015 won’t impact Thailand. It also doesn’t matter if you don’t believe jumping from the roof of a 25 story building will kill you. The AEC could benefit Thailand if more were aware of its benefits but the opposite is true. Thai people should be concerned. 

Not to be picky or anything but looking at the website for the Employment Permit System in Korea (www.hrdkorea.or.kr), a telephone number is given to assist potential employees with their questions about working in Korea. There are 17 countries, including Korea, that an extension is given to that phone number so that the potential employee can call in order and ask questions in their native language. The extension for Thailand is 6. I'm curious if this is where the ranking comes from that is mentioned in the story. 

I like that place.

Sent from my SM-P601 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

If you leave your country to live in another country, you are a migrant.

Sent from my SM-P601 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Does this includes farangs?

Only if they are legally working.

In Chiang Mai, 30% of every baht spent comes from tourism. 

Thailand is still behind Malaysia's 28 million tourist. 

Thanks for the great video Scott. I thought it was very informative. I'm a subscriber now. Cheers!

The Treaty of Amity is mentioned in the Asean trade agreements. I don't think it will expire.

Looks like the same kind of snake that always ends up with a photo on ThaiVisa.

It does seem likely foreign teachers with a proper visa will be able to ask for higher salaries because of the old rule of supply and demand. When supply is short, the price paid for a product or service increases. Good news for teachers on a proper visa.

hahaha! "Insider tattle-telling".

I tried to sign up but was told I can't because I live in Thailand.

Personally that is your problem! You told them you live in Thailand SO WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU GET POINTS FOR TELLING THEM THAT!

Get yourself a plan, minor treatment like you are doing now pay it out of your pocket, if you are diagnosed with a major problem and need a second opinion get your ass on a airplane and go home and get fixed.

Be stupid and play the part no one needs to know you are living here in Thailand. Just say you got sick traveling.. Now if you don't have a resident address go home and find a friend or family member who doesn't hate you and use their address!

Obama care are those who are not of Medicare age! and when you apply for Medicare do the same thing " Keep your month shut that you live here file and do the same as above! and when you get sick go back to " your ass on Airplane "

Sorry nothing personal but everyone is getting their share of money from the States, in particular every illegal immigrant so why not you! Countries like China, Soviet Union and every damn Mid-Eastern country got their hands out and you got to tell them you are living in Thailand! You have earned it and maybe fought for it basically when it comes to coverage I feel and think you deserve some payback for once!

Uncle Sam talks about a Global economy but can't insure someone like you or me when it was just reported our country gives each year something like 600 million to Hamas while they are tossing bombs right now!

They also said I don't have to sign up.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I tried to sign up but was told I can't because I live in Thailand.

Well. that information from Richard was certainly most interesting.....

Simon

It was the answer to your original question for the MRA-TP.....however, the Asean Framework Agreement of Services (AFAS) might have an option that might work. Under Mode 4 access (Presence of Natural Persons), the 8th round of AFAS negations produced the following Hotel Lodging Services (CPC 64110) agreement for Thailand:

Part 2:

Below are the functional competencies involved in the Front Office labor division. For each competency are extremely detailed Trainee Guides, Trainer Manuals, Assessor Manuals and a complete set of PowerPoint slides to teach the class. It's amazing the attention to detail ASEAN has put into these books. Best of all, they are all downloadable for free on the ASEAN website.

Each of the 6 labor division has 5 qualification levels. Based on the original design, Certificate 2 incorporates certificate 1 because the ASEAN countries felt certificate 1 was too simple. This obviously means level 5 is the most advanced. The divisions are as follows:

• Certificate II in Front Office (Incorporating Certificate I)
• Certificate III in Front Office
• Certificate IV in Front Office (Guest Services Supervision)
• Diploma of Front Office (Supervision and Administration)
• Advanced Diploma of Front Office (Management)

There are also Common Core and Generic Competencies but I didn't list them here. These are basic classes which all labor divisions must take.

I do apologize in advance because I know this is a little confusing. If you have any questions please ask. I will do my best to answer.

Front Office Manager Functional Competencies

1 Establish and maintain a safe and secure workplace

2 Manage quality customer/guest services

3 Prepare and monitor operational budgets

4 Manage financial performance within a budget

5 Manage stock purchases and inventories

6 Manage legal requirements for business compliance

7 Establish and maintain a business relationship

8 Monitor and manage workplace relations and diversity

9 Manage the effective use of human resources

10 Recruit and select staff

11 Monitor staff performance standards

12 Conduct a staff performance assessment process

13 Prepare and deliver training sessions

14 Conduct training for a small group

15 Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of training outcomes

16 Plan, manage and conduct meetings

17 Maintain financial standards and records

18 Plan and conduct an evacuation of premises

19 Plan and establish systems and procedures

20 Read and write English at an advanced level

Front Office Supervisor Functional Competencies

1 Provide accommodation services

2 Receive and process reservations

3 Operate a computerised reservation system

4 Process a financial transaction for services rendered

5 Maintain a paper-based filing and retrieval system

6 Process transactions for purchase of goods or services

7 Maintain guests' financial records

8 Prepare routine financial statements

9 Establish and maintain a safe and secure workplace

10 Manage quality customer/guest services

11 Receive and securely store in-coming goods

12 Monitor and manage workplace relations and diversity

13 Roster staff

14 Monitor routine workplace operations

15 Coach others in job skills

16 Provide for the safety of VIPs

17 Manage intoxicated persons

18 Conduct a night audit

19 Maintain financial standards and records

Receptionist Functional Competencies Front Office Attendant

1 Provide accommodation services

2 Receive and process reservations

3 Process a financial transaction for services rendered

4 Maintain a paper-based filing and retrieval system

5 Process transactions for purchase of goods or services

6 Maintain guests' financial records

7 Prepare routine financial statements

Telephone Operator Functional Competencies Telephonist

1 Operate a (PABX) switchboard Switchboard Operator

2 Receive and place in-coming phone calls

3 Facilitate out-going phone calls

4 Provide information about in-house services

5 Provide international (IDD) service information

Bell Boy Functional Competencies Porter

1 Provide Bell Boy / Porter services Concierge

2 Provide a lost and found facility Bellhop

3 Escort, carry and store valuable items

4 Provide a lost and found facility

Hi Simon.....I'm writing a thesis about this very topic for my MBA. I will try to answer your question as best I can. Please keep in mind, I don't have all the answers yet as Thai labor laws have yet to change but I can tell you in theory how it is suppose to work starting around May, 2015. This is also Part 1 of my answer to you. Part 2 will include some of the abilities ASEAN expects a Front Office Manager to have. It might be more than what you are looking for but I know the Philippines have already started training on this. Answering your question helps me to understand my topic better.

Thailand signed the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP) on 9 November, 2012, which goes into effect in 2015. This will allow skilled foreign ASEAN Tourism Professionals (TP) to immigration into or emigration from, an ASEAN country to compete for skilled tourism jobs.